ARTICLE 1.5. Watermaster Service [22080. - 22089.5.]

Cal. Water Code - WAT 1.5.
in effect

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 22080. Section 22080.

As used in this article: (a) “Conduit” includes ditches, pipelines, and other means of diversion. (b) “District” means any irrigation district which includes land included within a watermaster service area for which a watermaster has previously been appointed by the Department of Water Resources, but which elects to provide watermaster service pursuant to the provisions of this article.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 22080.5. Section 22080.5.

Any duty or authority vested in a watermaster appointed by a district may be exercised by the watermaster directly or through the agency of a deputy watermaster if there is one.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 22081. Section 22081.

A district, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 22080, may appoint one or more watermasters to regulate the use of water within the district.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 22081.5. Section 22081.5.

The owner of every conduit subject to regulation by an irrigation district shall construct and maintain to the satisfaction of the district a substantial and serviceable diversion dam or works in the channel of the stream from which the water is diverted.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 22082. Section 22082.

The owner of a conduit shall construct and maintain to the satisfaction of the district a substantial and serviceable headgate in the conduit through which the water is diverted at or near the diversion dam or works.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 22083. Section 22083.

The owner of a conduit shall construct and maintain such water flow measuring devices at such points along the conduit as may be required and approved by the district for the purpose of assisting the watermaster in determining the amounts of water which are being diverted and applied to beneficial use.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 22083.5. Section 22083.5.

If the owner of any conduit refuses or neglects to construct and maintain the diversion dam or works, the headgate, or the measuring devices provided for in this article after 30 days’ notice by the district so to do, the watermaster may close the conduit, and it shall not be opened or any water diverted from the source of supply until the requirements of the district as to the diversion dam or works, the headgate, or the measuring devices have been complied with.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 22084. Section 22084.

The owner of every reservoir which is subject to regulation by a watermaster and which is located across or upon the bed of a natural stream or requires the use of a natural stream channel shall construct and maintain such measuring devices below the reservoir in the stream and such measuring devices above the reservoir on each stream or source of supply discharging into the reservoir as may be required and approved by the district for the purpose of assisting the district or the watermaster in determining the amounts of water to which the owner is entitled and the amounts of water which the owner is diverting, storing, and applying to beneficial use.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 22084.5. Section 22084.5.

If the owner of any reservoir neglects or refuses to construct and maintain the measuring devices provided for in this article after 30 days’ notice by the district, the watermaster may open the outlet of the reservoir and the outlet shall not be closed, except by order of the district, until the requirements of the district as to the measuring devices are complied with.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 22085. Section 22085.

The district may make such reasonable regulations to secure distribution of water in accordance with determined rights as may be needed.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 22085.5. Section 22085.5.

The watermaster shall divide the water of the streams or other sources of supply among the several conduits and reservoirs taking water therefrom and so adjust or close the headgates of conduits and regulate the controlling works of reservoirs as may be necessary to insure a distribution of the water among the water users entitled to its use, according to the rights of the users.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 22086. Section 22086.

Whenever in pursuance of his duties the watermaster regulates a headgate to a conduit or the controlling works of a reservoir, he may attach to the headgate or controlling works a written notice properly dated and signed setting forth the fact that the headgate or controlling works have been properly regulated and are wholly under his control.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 22086.5. Section 22086.5.

The notice is legal notice to all persons interested in the diversion and distribution of the water of the conduit or reservoir.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 22087. Section 22087.

Any person who is injured by the action of any watermaster may apply to the superior court of the county in which the injury takes place for an injunction.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 22087.5. Section 22087.5.

Such injunction shall be issued only in case it is shown at the hearing that the watermaster has failed to distribute the water according to the rights as determined by decrees of court, agreements, permits, or licenses.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 22088. Section 22088.

Every person who willfully and without authority closes, changes, or interferes with any headgate, waterbox, or measuring device while it is under the control of the watermaster, or who willfully takes or uses water which has been denied him by the watermaster under the provisions of this part is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 22088.5. Section 22088.5.

The possession or use of water when it has been so denied by the watermaster is prima facie evidence of the guilt of the person using it.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 22089. Section 22089.

Every person who violates any of the provisions of this article is guilty of a misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25), nor more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250), or by imprisonment in the county jail for not less than 10 days nor more than six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 22089.5. Section 22089.5.

A watermaster has the power to arrest any person violating any of the provisions of this article and to give him into the custody of the sheriff or other competent police officer within the county, and immediately thereafter make a complaint before a magistrate against the person so arrested.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

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